INVESTMENTS IN REAL ESTATE AND OTHER SECURITIES - Summary of Real Estate Securities in an Unrealized Loss Position - Associated Intent to Sell (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Securities New Residential intends to sell
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	$ 0
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	0
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	0
Securities New Residential is more likely than not to be required to sell
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	0
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	0
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Credit impaired securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,155,566
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	1,204,729
Unrealized Credit Losses	(6,827)
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	(49,163)
Non-credit impaired securities
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	1,182,895
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	1,235,184
Unrealized Credit Losses	0
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	(52,289)
Total debt securities in an unrealized loss position
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Fair Value	2,338,461
Amortized Cost Basis After Impairment	2,439,913
Unrealized Credit Losses	(6,827)
Unrealized Non-Credit Losses	$ (101,452)